Mercury-arc rectifier



July 22, 1930.

F. P; WHITAKER urmctini ARC RECTIFIER Fild June. 1'? 19 29 Inventor FTn'k |?.\X/hifaker:

00% His Attorneg shield, of approximately cylindrical shape,

FRANK r. WHITAKER,

cones.

Patented July- 22, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OF RUGBY, ENGLAND,ASSIGNOB T0 GENERAL LEc'rRIceoM- PANY, A. ooRroRA'rIoN oENEw Y KMERCURY-ARC RECTIFIER Application filed June 17, 1929, Serial No.371,575, and in Great Britain June 20, 1928.

My invention relates to mercury arc rectifiers and the like, and moreparticularly to apparatus for the prevention of arc-backs in suchrectifiers.

The invention consists in providing an anode of approximately invertedpear shape, the anode being provided with an insulated anode shieldsecured above its upper or larger end, and extending downwards aconsiderable distance below its point or lower end. In'close proximityto the anode and within the shield is mounted a series of truncated coneshaped baffles, which are supported from the anode shield. WVith such anarrangement the tendency to arc-back is reduced.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating a typicalform of my invention,Fig. 1 is an elevational'view partially in section and Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section taken on-line 22 of Fig. 1. p

In the drawing, 1 is the anode, of inverted pear shape, which isintroduced through the wall of the vacuum chamber of the rectifierthrough the insulator 2. 3 is the anode which may be carried on theinsulator 2and which surrounds the wide end of the anode closely. Accessfor the arc to the tapered portion of the anode face is given throughthe spaces between the sheet metal baflies .4 which have the shape ofupright truncated The apex angle of the cone shaped surfaces is chosenof such value that the bafiies are substantially perpendicular to theanode surface. A plate 5 prevents the direct access of the are to thepoint of the anode. Radial metal'plates 6 support 4 and 5 from the anodeshield 3. i

The best proportions are determined by experiment in any given case, butgenerally the distance from the anode surface to the truncated cones,and the distance between adjacent cones, are both approximately of theorder of an inch.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

3. In a mercury arc rectifier, an anode provided with a tapered arereceiving surface, a

shield arranged to surround said anode, and p a plurality of truncatedcone shaped baffles within said shield arranged to surround said surfaceand extend substantially perpendicular thereto.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 24cthday ofMay,1929.

FRANK P. WHITAKER.

